1. How A Bill Becomes A Law
I'm Just a Bill

2. How A Bill Becomes A
Law
Overview

3. Step #1: Introducing A Bill
Anyone may introduce a Bill
In the House of Representatives:
Hand Bill to a clerk
Drop Bill into a “hopper” (tradition from UK)
In the Senate:
Being recognized by the presiding officer and announcing the bill’s introduction
Bill is numbered and sent to a printer

4. Step #2: Study By Committee
Bill referred to a committee by either;
Speaker of the House
Presiding officer of the Senate
Rules govern which committee will get a bill
Rules vary per house

5. Step #2a: Study By Sub-Committee
2. Referred to a Sub-committee
Sub Committees are the research arm of the larger, Full/Standing Committee
What happens in a subcommittee?
Witnesses appear
Evidence is taken
Questions are asked
Hearings used to
Inform members
Permit interest groups
Build public support
3. After hearing, sub-committee “marks up” bill

6. Step #2: Study By Committee
4. Back to the Full/Standing Committee for a possible vote
If majority of the committee votes to report a bill out of committee, it goes on
Accompanied by a report that explains:
Why the committee favored it
Why they wish to see its amendments, if any, adopted
b) If the committee does not report favorably on the bill, the bill dies
Are we done yet? I’m bored

7. Only takes place in the House of Representatives.
Rules Committee
Adopt rules to govern the procedures under which the bill will be considered
Only takes place in the House of Representatives.

8. Step #3: Floor Debate THE HOUSE THE SENATE
Discussed by “Committee of the Whole”
Whoever is present at the time
Speaker chooses presider
Committee debates, amends, decides final shape
During this time, no riders allowed- unless related to bill’s purpose
Time for debate divided evenly
5 minutes per person
“Quorum Call”- need 218 to vote
No rule limiting debate
Senators can speak as long as they want
Remarks need not be relevant
If House has passed a bill, Committee hearing can be waived in Senate
Senate Filibuster- time staller
Majority of 51 Senators needed to vote. This is a quorum.

9. Step #3: Floor Debate THE SENATE (continued)
Filibuster -The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.
Strom Thurmond
set a record in 1957 by filibustering the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes, although the bill ultimately passed. Visited a steam room before his filibuster in order to dehydrate himself so he could drink without urinating. An aide stood by in the cloakroom with a pail in case of emergency.“
Cloture Rule- parliamentary procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken on the matter under discussion.
Requires 16 Senators for petition
Motion is voted on 2 days after petition is introduced
To pass, 3/5 of Senate membership is needed- 60 Senators
If passed, each Senator is limited to 1 hour of debate
After that, total debate can only = 100 hours (including role call)

10. Step #4 Voting THE HOUSE The Senate
Voice Vote-
Yea vs Nay
Division (Standing Vote)-
Stand and be counted
(in both, members names are not recorded)
Teller Vote-
the members pass between two tellers..yeas first, nays second
Usually recorded
Role Call Vote-
Yea or Nay to people’s names
Can be done at the request of 1/5 of reps present
The Senate
No teller vote and not electronic counters

11. Step #5 (Sometimes): Reconciling Different Bills
Bill goes to Conference Committee:
Members picked by chairperson of the House + Senate Committees that have been handling the bill
3-15 members per house (depending on bill)
Members of both the House of Representatives and Senate meet to work on differences in the bill.
Bill goes back to each house to accept or reject

12. Step #6: Off To The White House
If bill is accepted by both houses, goes to President
President’s options:
Sign or veto
If President signs, Bill becomes a law!
If President vetos, bill goes back to Congress
Congress can override with a 2/3 vote of members present in each house (if quorum exists)
Vote must be a roll call

13. The End!

14. Assignment